Jones says he'll yield more control now than with any other coach.
IRVING — Jason Garrett's fingerprints will be all over the Dallas Cowboys' 2011 NFL draft class.
“He'll have a very significant influence relative to what player we end up with,” Jerry Jones said of Garrett, who guided the Cowboys to a 5-3 record last season after they started 1-7 under Wade Phillips.
“He'll have an influence, but he will have done it more than any coach that I have seen.”
That's saying a lot considering Jones has worked with the likes of Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells since buying the team in 1989.
“And that's not to take away from any of the (other) coaches,” Jones said. “But (Garrett) just has such a respect for the process and gets the most out of it.”
Garrett, 45, understands and appreciates how much work goes into building a draft board because his father, Jim, was a longtime scout for Dallas. Judd Garrett, Jason's younger brother, is the Cowboys' director of pro scouting.
“Jay has a real respect and honor for the scouting process,” Jones said. “That had to come from the fact his dad scouted for us for almost 20 years. He grew up around the table in a family that appreciates what scouts do and the effort that goes into it year-round. And I've really taken note of how respectful he is when he's talking to our scouts.”
Tom Ciskowski, Dallas' director of college and pro scouting, has a strong rapport with Garrett. Ciskowski joined the Cowboys in 1992 and took charge of the scouting department in 2008.
“Jason is a guy I remember as a player, so I knew him before,” Ciskowski said. “We hit it off. I'm not intimidated. I can say what I see and why, and he listens.”
Garrett knows his way around the Dallas draft room after spending the past 31/2 seasons as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Insiders say he was “very opinionated” in the past when asked about offensive prospects.
What will be different this year is he'll have Jones' undivided attention at all times.
“The biggest thing you want to do is evaluate the players and decide what kind of player you want on your team,” Garrett said last month. “My role changes simply in the fact that, in the past, I was involved with the offensive guys. Now I'm involved with the whole team.”
Dallas picks ninth tonight and wants a player who can have an immediate impact. Most mock drafts have the Cowboys selecting Southern California junior tackle Tyron Smith, even though there are questions about whether he's ready to start right away after playing only two seasons at right tackle for the Trojans.
“Last year, the Redskins took (Oklahoma tackle) Trent Williams with the (fourth) pick,” Ciskowski said. “Was he truly ready? He had some growing pains along the way. (Dallas linebacker DeMarcus) Ware exposed him a little bit.
“If you're drafting a player that high, you're going to insert him, and they'll grow with the position. So I don't know if a person is truly ever ready.”
No matter what the Cowboys do, it's certain Garrett will be a force in the draft room the next three days.
“He doesn't forget a thing, and he will make very pointed inquiries about players,” Jones said. “He works those scouts to get that information strong. I'm really impressed, really glad he's on board and part of this decision-making process.”
IRVING — Jason Garrett's fingerprints will be all over the Dallas Cowboys' 2011 NFL draft class.
“He'll have a very significant influence relative to what player we end up with,” Jerry Jones said of Garrett, who guided the Cowboys to a 5-3 record last season after they started 1-7 under Wade Phillips.
“He'll have an influence, but he will have done it more than any coach that I have seen.”
That's saying a lot considering Jones has worked with the likes of Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells since buying the team in 1989.
“And that's not to take away from any of the (other) coaches,” Jones said. “But (Garrett) just has such a respect for the process and gets the most out of it.”
Garrett, 45, understands and appreciates how much work goes into building a draft board because his father, Jim, was a longtime scout for Dallas. Judd Garrett, Jason's younger brother, is the Cowboys' director of pro scouting.
“Jay has a real respect and honor for the scouting process,” Jones said. “That had to come from the fact his dad scouted for us for almost 20 years. He grew up around the table in a family that appreciates what scouts do and the effort that goes into it year-round. And I've really taken note of how respectful he is when he's talking to our scouts.”
Tom Ciskowski, Dallas' director of college and pro scouting, has a strong rapport with Garrett. Ciskowski joined the Cowboys in 1992 and took charge of the scouting department in 2008.
“Jason is a guy I remember as a player, so I knew him before,” Ciskowski said. “We hit it off. I'm not intimidated. I can say what I see and why, and he listens.”
Garrett knows his way around the Dallas draft room after spending the past 31/2 seasons as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Insiders say he was “very opinionated” in the past when asked about offensive prospects.
What will be different this year is he'll have Jones' undivided attention at all times.
“The biggest thing you want to do is evaluate the players and decide what kind of player you want on your team,” Garrett said last month. “My role changes simply in the fact that, in the past, I was involved with the offensive guys. Now I'm involved with the whole team.”
Dallas picks ninth tonight and wants a player who can have an immediate impact. Most mock drafts have the Cowboys selecting Southern California junior tackle Tyron Smith, even though there are questions about whether he's ready to start right away after playing only two seasons at right tackle for the Trojans.
“Last year, the Redskins took (Oklahoma tackle) Trent Williams with the (fourth) pick,” Ciskowski said. “Was he truly ready? He had some growing pains along the way. (Dallas linebacker DeMarcus) Ware exposed him a little bit.
“If you're drafting a player that high, you're going to insert him, and they'll grow with the position. So I don't know if a person is truly ever ready.”
No matter what the Cowboys do, it's certain Garrett will be a force in the draft room the next three days.
“He doesn't forget a thing, and he will make very pointed inquiries about players,” Jones said. “He works those scouts to get that information strong. I'm really impressed, really glad he's on board and part of this decision-making process.”
